The AFC’s latest round of notes had a little bit of everything: a legend being talked out of a front-office return, a wide receiver on the verge of his first game in nearly a year, and a cornerback sounding openly frustrated about how his role has changed.
In Indianapolis, ESPN’s Adam Schefter poured cold water on the idea that Peyton Manning would seriously entertain the Colts’ general manager opening.
“ I believe that that job is beneath Peyton Manning, ” Schefter said, via Broncos Wire. “ You think Tom Brady would come back as a GM, or you think he would come back as an owner?
His family’s in Denver. His kids are there.
I don’t think he wants to go run a day-to-day organization. As much money as he’s made in football, as much money as he’s made post-football, why is he uprooting his family to go run a day-to-day operations of a football franchise?”
Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was also asked about the buzz surrounding the job after the team moved on from GM Chris Ballard. His response stayed pointedly in the present.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Vikings.”
In Houston, the big news is Tank Dell getting ready to step back onto the field for the first time since December 2024, when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury. Dell made it clear he isn’t spending much time worrying about how the first hit will feel.
“I know it’s a lot of questions, like, ‘How he gonna look when he gets tackled?'” Dell said, via DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.
“I don’t care about none of that. I’m ready to get tackled.
I’m gonna be joyful. Y’all gonna see the passion I have after I had that first catch.”
Dell also said the wait has him anxious, but not overwhelmed as Week 7 approaches.
“I’m blessed,” Dell said. “I want to thank God for getting me back in this position.
But I don’t think I’m overwhelmed. I’m anxious, of course, but I don’t think I’m overwhelmed.
I’m anxious to get back out there and play some football.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the priority is simply getting Dell back involved, without turning his workload into the headline.
“It’s just getting Tank back out there after missing two years of football,” Ryans said. “That’s the main thing.
Him just going out playing ball. I don’t care how many reps he gets.
But I’ll have my Tank Dell jersey on.”
In Tennessee, Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor said his role has shifted from what he believed was coming when he arrived.
“ Yeah, I was told that I would come here to play corner. Um, and that’s what my mentality was.
Um, but now, um, things are changing, and I’ll just adapt, ” he said, via Titans Wire. He also said the scheme and role are “ different than anything I’ve played.
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In Other News...
Colts Suddenly Have A Bigger Injury Concern Before Minnesota
The Colts roster shuffle for Sundays matchup with the Vikings added another layer to an already delicate injury situation. Indianapolis elevated linebacker Germaine Pratt and cornerback Kenneth Harris from the practice squad to the active roster, a sign the team is preparing for life without some important depth pieces as it heads into Minnesota.
Those moves come as the Colts try to navigate injuries at linebacker and corner, with rookie CJ Allen, Sauce Gardner and Justin Walley all part of the concern. Indianapolis also moved on from punter Thomas Morstead after Rigoberto Sanchezs injury designation was removed, trimming one temporary insurance plan even as the bigger question remains how stable the defense will be when the game kicks off. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Suddenly Have A Blockbuster RB Question To Answer
Jonathan Taylors name has suddenly drifted into the trade conversation after ESPNs Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter reported that the Packers, Seahawks and Broncos are among the teams weighing a possible deal for the Colts running back. It is a notable twist for a player who signed an extension with Indianapolis this year and has already appeared in six games this season, especially with the franchise in a moment of change after firing GM Chris Ballard.
For Denver, the question is whether it wants to turn a passing interest into something more serious if Indianapolis decides to listen on veterans. The Colts internal picture is not entirely clear, either, since owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon reportedly still sees Taylor as a key part of the organization moving forward, leaving any potential move caught between a roster reset and a player the team may still want to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A Defensive Depth Issue Before Vikings Game
The Colts added some experienced defensive insurance this week, elevating veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt and cornerback Kenneth Harris to the practice squad ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the Vikings. It is the kind of roster move that usually signals a need for cover, and Indianapolis is dealing with one after injuries thinned out the linebacker room going into Minnesota.
Pratts arrival gives the Colts another proven body to help stabilize things on the defensive side, while Harris adds depth in the secondary. The bigger ripple on the roster came on special teams, where the team moved on from veteran punter Thomas Morstead, a move that leaves Rigoberto Sanchez in position to handle punting duties against the Vikings. [Read more 🡒]